IN A DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT -
2/10/2005
Mindanao fieldwork provides insights on opposition to mining in developing world
It isn’t /Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom/, but a University of Calgary researcher’s work on Mindanao is definitely an adventure. And while he admits that the excitement of traveling to this volatile Philippine island is alluring, the research insights he obtains there is a bigger draw.
Dr. Wil Holden, U of C environmental science and geography professor, studies environmental management and policy, including related issues in the developing world. And in the Philippines, there are plenty of issues, violent conflicts and Supreme Court cases pitting the mining industry against NGOs and community groups.
These conflicts are in danger of escalating, given the anger being expressed by civil society groups over a recent Supreme Court decision to allow 100% foreign ownership of major mining operations. This controversial decision was a reversal of an earlier decision to restrict foreign ownership.
“The Philippines is a great place to do this type of research because the laws are in English. I can go there and hit the ground running,” says Holden, who has a law degree, a master’s degree in economics and a PhD in geography. “The Philippines also has a reputation for having a very strong civil society. There are a lot of NGOs and what they call people’s organizations that are opposed to mining and their federal government’s encouragement of mining. I want to learn more about these groups.”
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SOUTHERN LEYTE DISASTER RELIEF FUND -
12/29/2004
More than 200 villagers on the southern part of the Philippine Province of Southern Leyte have lost their lives following last weeks devastating mudslides. Villagers of the north-eastern part of the main southern island of Mindanao are also reported to have been affected. Most of the areas involved were near hills and mountainsides. It has been reported that the cause of the tragedy is almost a week of torrential rain and years of illegal logging. Coral Cay Conservation Volunteers situated north of the disaster area, near the town of Malitbog, Sogod Bay, were unaffected. Transport planes continue to deliver food, medicine, rescue equipment and other supplies to the thousands of families made homeless. Bad weather, blocked roads combined with downed power and phone lines are however hampering rescue efforts. CCC has offered to give any support it can to the Provincial Government of Southern Leyte. The CCC Medical Officer, various other field staff and volunteers are prepared to assist. The CCC boat is also on standby should it be needed.
Concerned former Southern Leyte Coral Reef Conservation Project (LRCP) Volunteers have contacted CCC to offer their support through disaster relief donations. Members of the public wishing to donate to Southern Leyte Disaster Relief Fund should send cheques (made payable to ‘Coral Cay Conservation Ltd’ and marked on the back: “Southern Leyte Disaster Relief Fund”) to the CCC head office. All funds raised will be sent to CCC’s main project partner the Provincial Government of Southern Leyte.
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A BREATH OF FRESH AIR -
8/11/2004
Our forest cover is fast thinning out. We have to take action now to save it - before it's too late.
With these in mind, ABS-CBN Foundation adopted under its Bantay Kalikasan Program the Save the La Mesa Watershed Project. La Mesa is considered as the last remaining forest of its size in Metro Manila with a total land area of 2, 700 hectares. It used to be one of the two major sources of water for the metropolis. The other was Montalban watershed which, sadly, had been decommissioned.
Back in 1999, forty-five per cent (45 % ) of La Mesa's land area was denuded. Left unchecked, the watershed would be gone in 5 year's time. Initially, the goal is to raise the level of awareness on the importance of the forest as a water source since it acts like a sponge to trap water. Forests also control soil erosion and flooding and cleans the air we breathe, acting as carbon dioxide sink. Remember, symbiosis in Biology 101 ?
The long-term vision is to develop the La Mesa Watershed into a nature park and biodiversity reserve that features grassland, tropical rainforest, lake, river, swimming pool, picnic area, butterfly garden, orchidarium, campsite, aviary, fishing facilities and many more. It will be a place where one is afforded a chance to commune with nature at its finest.
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